It has recently been reported by insurance specialist Staveley Head that the volume of insurance quotes from motor trade customers in June increased by more than 280 percent, when compared to the same month last year.

This level has never been experienced before and the numbers taking up the cover rose by nearly 220 percent over 2009’s figures.

A Staveley Head spokesperson explained:

“We are continuing to increase out internet presence and also our profile in the market. We anticipate that the number of enquiries received and also the number of motor trade insurance policies issued will expand by a further 150% in the next twelve months.”

The leading commercial vehicle insurers in the UK have posted similar outstanding results as motor traders recognise the real need for the protection of their vehicles.

The increases may have occurred because of a number of factors, including awareness over the internet, with referrals from distribution networks and trade advertising.

The self-employed motor trader is fast becoming a chosen profession for qualified engineers and so commercial vehicle insurance is an important consideration for these tradespeople.

You can now get tailor made policies which are designed to cater for a wide range of commercial customers, with specialist products available for traders who buy and sell cars from home to those who repair commercial vehicles on business premises, there is sure to be a policy that can be tailor-made to suit your circumstances.

Making sure your store has the right kind of displays, laid out effectively and in prominent positions is key to the success and, in some cases, survival of your business. Any store displays you choose or design should feature colours that represent your brand(s) and complement one another well.

Remember, displays are there to be seen, so don’t be afraid to go for something unique, something that stands out from the rest. In fact, it is better you do this, but obviously it is important to do so in a tasteful manner.

Store front displays and signs are a major player in actually bringing in the custom so this is one place that should definitely get a lot of focus when thinking about your shop displays.

After an official report declined plans to cutoff the internet to anyone caught illegally downloading films, music or video games, Lord Mandelson has made a surprising U-turn and brought life back to the idea.

The shock decision has caused outrage from a number of sources, ranging from privacy campaigners all the way up to Internet Service Providers and fellow Labour MPs.

One of the major concerns with the suggested cutoffs is innocent victims getting caught out by accident, either by their internet connections being used by others or services being erroneously conceived as illegal (like legal Peer 2 Peer services).

Virgin Media believe that one of the best methods to disrupt piracy is to offer “new legitimate services that provide a compelling alternative to illegal filesharing”.

We previously covered exhibitions with our tips on getting your business seen, which showed them as a great way to get your business out there and noticed. Today, we will cover that subject to a slightly finer point by looking at the different display equipment to use at trade shows and similar events.

If you feel like you aren’t as creative as you could be, it might be a good idea to hire an exhibition specialist to help with the design, creation and installation of your exhibition display.

There is a wide variety of display types to choose from ranging from leaflets and pamphlets all the way up to bespoke stall structures and display stands. Choosing the right one for your business depends on your industry (is it needed?), your budget (can you afford it?) and the type of exhibition (is it set allotment sizes or can you expand?).

Exhibitions are a great way of getting your business found, whether you’re searching for investors, clients, customers or just recognition, they offer a whole new route to being seen.

A trade show can allow your business to advertise products to the right kind of client and customers. By choosing an exhibition that specialises in your company’s industry, you have a more specially targeted audience.

There are a number of places for finding the right kind of exhibitions for your business, although with the internet being an ever growing source of information, this is always an ideal place to start your search. Make sure you make a note of what you want to achieve from attending an exhibition show and budget accordingly.

In today’s competitive business environment, your customers are faced with more choices than ever. The companies who stand out will get the business. The PMS Principles is filled with dozens of ideas and strategies to stand out, and grow your small business without spending a fortune. You will learn:

• How to get attention from the media
• How to get more business from your current customers
• How to market your business on the Internet
• How to target prospects, cultivate repeat and referral business and so much more!